Honor graduates dine with most inspiring teachers

By JAN SEAGO Plainview ISD

Published 2:41 pm, Thursday, May 29, 2014

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Plainview High School honor graduates, their parents and most inspirational teachers were celebrated at an honor breakfast on their last official day of school on Thursday. Among those going through the serving line are Jack Wirth (front left), father of class valedictorian Thomas Wirth, and honor graduate Lupita Quintanilla (front right). less

Plainview High School honor graduates, their parents and most inspirational teachers were celebrated at an honor breakfast on their last official day of school on Thursday. Among those going through the serving ... more

Honor graduates dine with most inspiring teachers

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Forty-four honor graduates of the PHS Class of 2014 were celebrated on Thursday morning with an honor breakfast in the Plainview ISD Board Room hosted by the Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services.

PHS senior counselor Valinda Parker served as mistress of ceremonies.

Guest speaker was Dr. Rockwell Kirk, superintendent of schools.

Kirk, a 1977 PHS graduate, told the audience that he never expected to be returning to Plain view 35 years after his graduation.

“Coming back home to be around all of you has been the most wonderful honor of my life,” he said, adding that he has a genuine admiration for the graduating class. “I have seen these students perform. I have seen them honored. This is an exceptional group of young people.”

Kirk spoke about his experiences as a parent who had been through the ups and downs of college life with his daughters. “It’s our makeup as parents to want to protect our kids.”

He added that he is very proud of his two daughters who are now teaching in an inner city school and proud of all they had accomplished in the years following graduation.

“I know our grads possess the same character and constitution that my daughters do,” he said. “Remember, wisdom is rooted in failure. It is there that you learn to persevere.”

Kirk added in closing “I pray that there will always be enough trouble in your life that will keep you in prayer and near to your creator. ”

Congratulatory remarks were made by Tye Rogers, PHS principal, and Sharon Wright, executive director for curriculum and instructional services.

Rogers said that the end of a year is always an emotional time as graduates prepare to move on. “The time that we spend in their lives is brief but intense. These are incredible young men and young ladies. Some of the most talented people I have had the privilege of knowing are in this room. We are very proud of their accomplishments.”

Wright said, ‘”Your hard work, and by ‘your’ I mean the combined efforts of parents, teachers and students, has paid off. You (students) are our (teachers) inspiration. It’s knowing that you are what’s waiting for us that keeps us coming back year after year.”

As part of the celebration, each graduate invited his or her most influential educator as a honored guest. Honor graduates and their most influential educator include:

•Kevin Adamson, son of David and Elise Adamson; honored guest — Jennifer Riley